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"It had been promoted in work that the Samaritans was looking for volunteers, so I went to the information session and found that I’d like to do it.

"I liked the idea of volunteering for a charity, and I knew how important the Samaritans’ service was.

"I thought it was a fantastic charity, and the more I learnt about it the more I just had to do it."

Charlotte is a listening volunteer who answers telephone calls, emails and text messages from people in need, helping to ensure Samaritanss can provide a round-the-clock service.

The organisation also has support volunteers, who help at fundraising events to raise awareness of the work done by Samaritans.

Charlotte said: "It has changed my life quite a lot.

"It has made me value what I have, my family and friends, and it has helped me in the sense that when I am stressed myself I can stand back, and think is my life really that bad? And I can see that what’s annoying me and upsetting me is not bad compared with what other people are going through.

"Volunteering with Samaritans really has developed me as a person, I have much more patience and I am less judgemental of people than I was before."